Lessons to be learned from search

The Maritime Safety Authority (MSA) says the successful search for an overdue fishing vessel today provided a sharp reminder for vessels and their owners.

“It’s absolutely vital that vessels maintain a regular contact schedule. This could be with family or the boat’s owners but preferably should be with coastal radio or the Maritime Operations Centre. Vessels should also monitor distress frequencies in case they are able to assist in a search operation,” says MSA Maritime Operations General Manager John Mansell.

“In this case there was a big effort involving a RNZAF Orion crew and staff from the Rescue Coordination Centre, Police and Coastguard that could easily have been avoided.

“The sea is an unforgiving environment in which people can die very quickly so time is a major factor in trying to avert any tragedy.

“Having current and accurate information on a vessel’s intentions is absolutely vital if it gets into trouble and we need to provide assistance.”

© Scoop Media

Gordon Campbell: On the Sony cyber attack

Given the layers of meta-irony involved, the saga of the Sony cyber attack seemed at the outset more like a snarky European art film than a popcorn entry at the multiplex.

Yet now with (a) President Barack Obama weighing in on the side of artistic freedom and calling for the US to make a ‘proportionate response’quickly followed by (b) North Korea’s entire Internet service going down, and with both these events being followed by (c) Sony deciding to backtrack and release The Interview film that had made it a target for the dastardly North Koreans in the first place, then ay caramba…the whole world will now be watching how this affair pans out. More>>